Day 2 - The Bhagwan says - Scraping the pegs on the twisties

The campground at Oxbow

Eastern Oregon

Deschutes River

Side of the road between Shaniko and Antelope

The sign say Antelope

Second Day – The Dalles to Oxbow Dam
Headed south out of The Dalles on 197, and headed east at Tygh Valley in search of Rock Creek Dam. The country is very different from yesterday, wheat fields and sagebrush and not many trees. The route to the dam did gain a bit in elevation, but the trees are much sparser than 50 miles west. Found the dam, headed back to Tygh Valley and on the spur of the moment decided to take the road less travelled, Highway 216. This in another great motorcycle road – it goes through gullies and canyons, follows the Deschutes River for a bit and is really fun. But it’s a pale comparison to what was next, Highway 218 from Shaniko to Fossil. All right, it’s only been two days, but I’ll wager that leg is going to be one of my all around favorites. Maybe the Bhagwan rode a bike and that’s why he decided to settle in Antelope? This ride is simply not to be missed. Anyway, from there onwards to Condon, Heppner (pave your main drag, will you please Heppner?) and McKay Dam just south of Pendleton. Back to I84 and a high speed cruise to Baker City for the 60+ miles to Oxbow. Which is another darn fine ride. The Idaho Power Campground is Oxbow is clean, green, only costs $10 for a tent and has free unlimited time hot showers.
Best Part about today – Highway 218 from Shaniko to Fossill is cool. There are so many posted 15 mile per hour turns and one section that even looks a little bit like Lombard Street in San Francisco – there are lots of switchbacks.
Challenge for today – It’s hard to make good time on the backroads. I had to take I84 from Pendleton to Baker City instead of Highway 395 and Forest Service Roods 52 and 24. Oh well, be flexible as I will learn tomorrow……..
Mileage – 458, total mileage 887